Controlling access to an intravenous catheter

Abstract

A system includes an intravenous catheter having a catheter chamber, a catheter line for insertion into a blood vessel of the identified patient, and an electronically actuatable blocking member providing selective fluid communication between the catheter chamber and the catheter line. A reader is secured to the catheter chamber for reading an identification code that identifies a liquid in a syringe received within the catheter chamber. A control system accesses an electronic patient record that includes medical information specific to an identified patient and runs an application program logically associating the intravenous catheter and the medical information specific to the identified patient, determining whether the administration of the identified liquid to the identified patient is compatible within the medical information specific to the identified patient, and controlling electronic actuation of the blocking member.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to the use of intravenous catheters, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for introducing fluids to a patient through an intravenous catheter.[0003]2. Background of the Related Art[0004]An intravenous catheter is a medical device that is inserted through the skin into a blood vein and left in place to facilitate the introduction of a fluid or the withdrawal of a blood sample. Depending upon the application, the intravenous catheter may be in continuous or periodic use.[0005]While the intravenous catheter makes these medical interventions simpler and can be used to avoid multiple needle sticks, there is still a potential that the intravenous catheter may be involved in delivery of an inappropriate fluid. Because each patient may have a unique set of conditions and allergies it is important to carefully consider whether a particular fluid, such as an aqueous solution of a medication, is approp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a system and method for safely and efficiently delivering liquids to patients through an intravenous catheter. The system includes a catheter with a chamber and a line for insertion into a blood vessel, an electronically actuatable blocking member, and a reader for reading an identification code of a syringe. The control system then determines if the administration of the liquid to the patient is compatible within the patient's medical information and electronically actuates the blocking member to provide fluid communication between the catheter and the syringe. This prevents accidental or unsafe delivery of liquids to patients, ensuring patient safety and the effective treatment of medical conditions.

Problems solved by technology

While the intravenous catheter makes these medical interventions simpler and can be used to avoid multiple needle sticks, there is still a potential that the intravenous catheter may be involved in delivery of an inappropriate fluid.

Furthermore, the large and growing number of medical fluids makes it complex to determine what fluids are appropriate.

Unless the person administering or prescribing the fluids has received this information, the patient may not benefit from this recent data.

Images